Clothespin rack



S. GELLER GLOTHESPIN RACK Oct. 18, 1949.

, 2 Shees-Sheet 1 sob INVENTOR SAMUEL SELLER IIIIIHIIIA Filed Nov. 2. 1945 ATTORNEY' S. GELLER cpoTHEsPIN RACK' Oct. 18, 1949.

.2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed Nov. 2. 1945 INVENTOR SAMUEL GELLER' ATTORNEY Patented ct. 18, 1.949

UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE 2,485,275 cLo'rHEsPIN RACK Samuel Geller, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 2, 1945, Serial N 0. .626,206

4 Claims. 01; 31a-42) This invention relates to a new and useful clothespin rack permitting storage of a large multitude of clothespins within a minimum amount of space and ready removal .of any desired number of clothespins from' said rack. While not limited thereto this invention relates particularly to the type of clothespin rack which can be hung up or otherwise aixed in one corner of a laundry room forming a neat container for clothes pins.

The new device is extremely simple in structure, very easy to assemble, and very economical in operation. The number of operating parts which could be Worn out or may ever need replacement is extremely small. Initial and operating costs of the device are therefore at a minimum permitting every housewife and every laundry to take advantage of this great improvement in el'lciency.

Briefly, the new invention comprises a plurality of openings for clothespins, one clothespin above the other and means for retaining these clothespins in said openings permitting withdrawals of one or more clothespins whenever required. In one embodiment of the invention, a simple and efficient locking means for the device of the invention is also envisioned.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan top view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is the lower fragment of a vertical section through line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of any inside fragment of the device shown without the clothespins.

Fig. 6 is a detail showing the spring retaining the clothespins alone.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the instant invention.

Fig. 8 is a detail showing the essential part of the embodiment of Fig. 7 in perspective view.

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figs. 7-8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing another modication of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing another form of the invention.

In accordance with the invention a container I0 is provided with a cover IllB hinged at IIlb, and having walls II and I2 at right angles to each other and defining a plurality of parallel compartments I3 wide enough to permit insertion of the narrow sides of clothespins I4, yet not Wide enough to permit sideways overturning of the clothespins.

In a preferred form of the invention the container l0 is deep enough to permit positioning of a plurality of clothespins III one above the other in one and the same compartment I3.

Near the bottom of each compartment I3 a spring I5 extends from a nail I6 in one of the defining walls I'I or I2. This spring I5 is positioned so 'as to permit protrusion of the prongs I'I of the individual clothespin I4 from the container I in graspable position. Spring I5 normally extends in nearly horizontal position from the supporting wall II or I2 but can be flexed so as to permit downward passage of the clothespins I4. Attachment loops I8 and bolt I9 to a supporting wall 2t for the container I0 may be provided. This permits positioning of the device in any desired position.

In operation clothespins I4 are inserted with their prongs I'I down into the individual compartmen'ts I3 one after the other. They will fall through said compartment until stopped by spring l5 and one clothespin III will stay on top of the other resting its prong I'I on the head portion 2|v of the preceding clothespin. Whenever desired a clothespin III will be grasped by its prongs II and removed downwardly from the compartment I3 causing the next clothespin to follow into the space vacated by the removed clothespin.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7-9 a horizontal locking device 22 comprising a frame 23 holding a plurality of parallel bars 24 and attached to a hinge 25 on'one lower edge of the container is provided. The locking device 22 has a slit hinged handle 26 cooperating with a loop 2l on the lower side of the container. It is, of course, understood that horizontal bars 24 are arranged so as to t into any protruding prongs II of clothespin I4 being arranged in parallel with springs I5.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is the same as the preceding embodiment. However, it is now possible to lock the device so as to prevent Withdrawal of pins when such withdrawal by unauthorized persons is not desired. Any of a multitude of locks can naturally be used to hold slit handle 25 on loop 21.

aeeaevt In Fig. 10 the spring finger I5 is shown to be imbedded in the wall l l.

In Fig. 11 the attachment loops I8' are shown to be secured to the end Wall l2. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form, and corresponding parts are indicated by like reference numerals.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it iste be understood that I; do. `not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modificationsl coming within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my inventionzy what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A clothespin rack comprising in combina,- tion a plurality of compartments dened to permit lengthwise vertical passage of clothespins therethrough,A and'springmembers yieldingly 11estraining downward passage of such clothespins, said spring membersbeingl attached tothe Walls of said individual compartments near the lower endv ofsaid compartments andv extending substantially horizontallytherefrom and lmeans for attaching said. rack to a wall, said clothespin rack also including locking means for Said clothespins in said rack, said locking means comprising a set of parallel bars in a frame for en gaging between the prongs of the lowermost clothespins in said rack.

2. A clothespin rack comprising 4in combination a plurality of compartments defined to permit lengthwise vertical passage of clothespins therethrough, and4 spring members yieldingly Ie straining downward passage of suchV clothespins, said springmembers` being attached to the walls of` said individual compartments. near the lowerA end. of said compartments and extendingsubstantially horizontal-ly, therefrom and means for attaching said. .rack to.l a Said. .clothespin rack also including locking i means, for said clothespins in said rachisaid'loekine means @Qmprising a set of parallel barsinfa frame for engaging between the prenesef the lowermgst clothespins in. saisi ranke Said locking-meenemine ningen te one. Qithe Walle. f. saidfraqla A clothespin. reeks .ceninrisrie combination a plnralitr ef.: compartments, dennen. t0. nermt. lengthwise vertical. .paSSaee of eletheslins. therethrough.. and, `splilfle members, yieldinely restnainingv downward passage oi suchpclpthespins,

said spring members being attached to the walls of said individual compartments near the lower end of said compartments and extending substantially horizontally therefrom and means for attaching said rack to a Wall, said clothespin rack also including locking means for said clothespins in said rack, said locking means comprising a set of parallel bars in a frame for engagllg between the prongs of the lowermost clothespins in said rack, said locking means being hinged to one of the walls of said rack and havin g cooperating means for retaining a conventional lock.

L1A-.clothespin rack comprising a container `lfiaving an open bottom and sub-divided internal- :ly into a plurality of compartments into which a; plurality Iof .clothespins can be engaged one above the other with the prongs thereof extended downward, springs attached to the walls of said compartments to engage between th prongs ofthe lowermost clothespins to, removably support the clothespins in said .compartel ments with the prongs of the lowermost clothesa pins extending from the open bottom of said container, a rectangulareirame extended across the open bottom of said container about theprorjecting prongs of thetlowermost clothespins, said frame being hingedlyconnected atoneeend t0. the bottom of said. .container to be pivotedbe tween. an operativeposition extended across the open bottom, or an. incnerativencsition depended fromjtne bottom of. said.. container, means for re leasably,Y lockngdirame in its operative posie tioncxtndedeqloss the open bottom ofsaid containen. and a plurality offpara11e1 bars extended. across, said..r frame `te engage between. the adjacentk faces` of the projecting prongs ef*` the lowermost clothespins in the operative,- position ofwsaid frame to retain` the clothespins against unauthorized removal, from said container.

SAMUEL;y GELLER..

REFERENCES CITED Theiollowing referencesare of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES( PATENTS 

